Ideas for Finding a Pet

It’s that time of year again when children commonly ask, “Is the Easter bunny real?" and parents face the agonizing decision of how to respond. Regardless of what they believe, imagine their awe and excitement if they were to see a live rabbit hop out of their brightly colored Easter basket! It would definitely create lasting memories, and save on the candy, too.

If adopting a pet is on your agenda, a plethora of options are available from which you can choose. Some people find pedigree and papers important, while others are just looking for a companion.

If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars at a breeder, check out some of the area pet shelters like the Humane Society of Greater Akron, Ohio Pug Rescue or Heaven Can Wait, just to name a few. Any of these shelters could be a great resource for finding your next pet, whether it is a rabbit, hamster, bird, cat or dog.

According to Summit County Humane Society's Director of Behavior and Adoption Services Kristin Branagan, several adoption programs are available at the Darrow Road location in Twinsburg.

“We’re a little nontraditional due to the services we offer,” she said. “We have a quick adoption profile we offer to people. We ask a little bit about who you are, what you’re looking for, as well as other pets or habits you have.”

Ideally, the goal of adopting a pet is a lasting partnership. The profile is designed to help people determine what type of pet they want, as well as what pet will make a good fit.

Additionally, a profile of each adoptable pet is offered so that potential owners have a comprehensive snapshot of the pet they may be considering.

“We do temperament tests on all pets over six months old,” Branagan said. “We test them from the food they eat to how they play with toys, etc. We spend an hour and a half with each animal before putting it up for adoption so that we can give people an idea of whom they are taking home.

“Sometimes people go back to look at the animals and are overwhelmed with the Baskin Robbins effect,” Branagan explained when describing the wide range of animals at the shelter.

Currently, 60 to 80 dogs are available at the Humane Society, and if an adoption doesn’t end up working out, the animals always have a safe place to return.

Kelly Nyerges of Stow is a fan of the Pug breed. She has both purchased a puppy from a dog breeder as well as rescued an older dog from a Pug rescue organization.

“I would rather adopt from a rescue; there are too many great dogs that don't have homes. I would definitely adopt a senior dog again versus a puppy. Lizzy is my rescue dog and is spunky like a puppy. She was 8 years old when we got her, and she came to us already trained. So it's the best of both worlds,” she said.

The advantages of adopting a pet from a rescue organization can be many. The Humane Society offers free behavioral training, which concentrates on a variety of concerns including pet/owner separation issues, how to get along with other pets, potty training and more. The goal is to try and help overcome questions and issues before the final decision is made to return a pet.

“The animals we get in are extraordinary – they’re loving and forgiving of what they’ve been through – they appreciate the second chance they’re given,” said Branagan. “A two-week trial period is required before an owner can adopt a pet. It allows an owner time to see if the dynamic is going to work before fully committing.”

The Humane Society is currently offering a special reduced fee of $99 for dog adoptions. This includes spay, neuter, up-to-date vaccinations. Dogs are treated for fleas and de-wormed, micro-chipped and given rabies vaccinations.

Feline adoptions range from $10 to $30. The $10 fee for cats is for animals six years and older and those with special needs (i.e. neurological cat or diabetic). The $20 price tag is for cats six months to five years; and kittens under five months cost $30. All adoptions also include feline aids and leukemia testing. For more information, call 1-888-LUV-THEM.